2009 November Announcements

2009 November Announcements Dae Yen Sa International Buddhist Temple and Meditation Center Simple and wholesome goodness of sweet, ripe, bright strawberries. Contents: 1. Upcoming Events 2. Dharma School Series 3. Buddha Thought 4. Volunteer! 5. Saturday Schedule Reminder 6. Dae Yen Sa Video Upcoming Events Candlelight Walking Meditation Evening Candlelight Walking Meditation and Chanting for an End to Violence ---In November, we will be planning an evening of mindful walking and chanting for peace within us and within the world. This evening service will take place in the Main Hall that will be lit by (battery operated) candles. As part of the service we are asking Sangha members, friends and guests to offer a short written or impromptu prayer for peace. This special evening promises to be beautiful and powerful. We will keep you posted on specific date. Nonviolent Communication Workshop Sangha members Aaron Doyle and Eduardo Barrios are working on scheduling a non-violent communication workshop in the coming months. See more info at http://www.cnvc.org and stay tuned for more information in the future! The Dharma School Series Chanting & Meditation 7 pm - 7:30 pm Dae Yen Sa Dharma School & Tea 7:30 pm - 8:30 pm We welcome individuals of all paths and understandings to participate in weekly gatherings consisting of meditation, meditative reading and review along with group reflection on Buddhist principles and practices or Dharma. The only requirement is an open mind and open heart. Study Topic for Wednesday 11/18/09: The Dhammapada, Chapter 6 - The Wise. For those with Books please read Chapter 6: The Wise For those without books please read Chapter 6: The Wise What does wisdom mean to you? From where does wisdom come? Who is wise? Naturally we tend to equate wisdom to academic intelligence or analytical superiority in human beings. Do you know the wisdom of the seasons? Or of a delicate flower pushing up through solid concrete toward the light of the noonday sun? Do you know the wisdom of a newborn baby sleeping? Or of the dog wagging her tale on your arrival home? What is wisdom? It is to see and know, to our very core, that all of life is as it is, and not as our illusory mind would have it be. It is to accept and to appreciate true nature as we come to know it in our experience not about how many books we've read, or concepts we can memorize or recite. All phenomena has the capacity to teach us wisdom if we are open to a way of radical seeing, where all judgement vanishes away. To be wise is to gently and consistently strive in our meditation and practice to not reject the duality of life, but to transcend duality with supreme compassion where we can hold both the relative and absolute forms - this is the equanimity of heaven. The sun shines on the good and the bad, the flower emits it's beautiful scents to the gentle and the cruel, great saints of all traditions pray for all without designation. This is wisdom. This is Love. Namu Nobody is condemned in Buddhism, for greatness is latent even in the seemingly lowliest, just as lotuses spring from muddy ponds. Ongoing Wednesday Night Dharma ---Wednesday's we are continuing the 26 week study of the Dhammapada. Books are provided with a suggested $5 donation.This study will be practiced in the meditative recitation style similar to our Shantideva experience. The first session started Wednesday evening 10/14/09. The winters are always shorter when we're studying together! Let's embark on this Dhammapada journey and see where it takes us. Invite someone new to experience the warmth of the sangha. Buddha Thought Rene Descartes walks into a bar and has a drink. The bartender asks him, "Would you like another?" Descartes pauses and says, "I think not," and promptly disappears. The bartender is enlightened. A classic Buddhist joke found on the net. Volunteer Requests Assistance with preparation for special events, weekends and teaching nights is always greatly appreciated. This includes assistance in the kitchen, setting up, taking down and any other donation of talent or effort that can assist the temple. You are always greatly appreciated! The temple does have some special requests from time to time as well. Sati Meditation Recently, a small group from Dae Yen Sa enjoyed a field trip to Chuang Yen Temple in Carmel, NY. We participated in a retreat day, where we learned a new form of meditation practice called Sati. In Sati Meditation the practitioner uses mindful movements of the hands to bring about greater awareness.This practice was introduced by Luangpor Teean Jittasubho (1911-1988) of Thailand and taught to us by Dr. Dwight Chien. It is our intention to make Sati meditation sessions available at DaeYen Sa. If any member who participated in our Sati retreat in NY is interested in leading Sati meditation please see Eduardo. For those wishing to experience the Sati retreat day at Chuang Yen, the next session is December 12, 2009. Calling all TV Techies! The temple is seeking a volunteer(s) to help us find or purchase a big screen TV for the Main Temple that we could also connect to a computer. There are so many great teachings and wisdom available in multimedia now that would add to study experiences. In addition the temple is considering offering occasional "movie nights" for families. Maybe our first Movie night could be "MULAN" in honor of dear little Sasha! Of course, we are also seeking donations for the purchase of the TV, or, of a TV itself. Thank you in advance for your kindness in achieving this goal for the benefit of the sangha. Please see Su Yen Sunim to help with this endeavor. Lending Library The East gives us thousands upon thousands of Buddhist sacred texts. And here in the West we have access to many books and articles from teachers like Jack Kornfield, Pema Chodron and other well-known teachers. It is our goal to begin a small lending library of Buddhist texts that would be open to Sangha members. The idea has been approved by Su Yen Sunim and Master, so we'll keep you posted on the logistics. In the meantime consider donating your books of wisdom to the temple. Make it a practice in letting go! Talks and Workshops While we have the Wisdom of the Triple Gem we also recognize the network of members and friends with wisdom to share with Dae Yen Sa. If you, or anyone you know, has an interest in presenting a workshop/lecture/training that is relevant and appropriate to Buddhist principles and practice, please speak with Eduardo. At present, the Temple does not have funds for lecturers. Any presentation would be considered a donation would be very much appreciated. Thank you in advance. SPECIAL MENTION! Nirvana Juice Bar, Torrington One of our Sangha members, Rosie, invites us to visit her juice bar in Downtown Torrington. Rosie offers many wonderful health and energy drinks and foods as well as aromatic incenses and products sangha members would appreciate. In addition Rosie hosts guest lectures and open mike nights. Visit her website for more information and then visit her store for some "chill" time. http://nirvanahealthbar.com/ Nirvana is a healthy, fun and informative place to visit! Saturday Temple Regular Schedule: 9:00 AM to 10:00 AM Yoga 10:00 AM to 10:20 AM Tea Break 10:20 AM to 11:00 AM Silent Meditation 11:00 AM to 11:10 AM Walking Meditation 11:10 AM to 11:30 AM Chanting 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM Korean Vegetarian Lunch The first Saturday of each month, Dae Yen Sa has a retreat day with a revised schedule. Call or contact the temple for the schedule and activities for that day. Rear View Mirror Pierce visiting Dae Yen Sa temple with his group from Stillwater Meditation speaks about looking into the rear view mirror vs. the importance of staying in the now. 19 Kinsey Road New Hartford, CT 06057 Telephone: (860) 489-3254 Cell: (860) 459-6255 Fax: (860) 489-5760 Donations greatly appreciated! VISIT DAE YEN SA ON FACEBOOK!